Our thanks to Merimbula Big Game and Lakes Angling Club for this week's report

Bega River open and Fishing the River Returns to Normal.

Prevailing winds have curtailed local game fishing but with warmer currents moving in, good shark, tuna and marlin may soon be on offer.

Ocean flathead are on the chew all along from Tura Headland past Bournda Island to SE of Turingal Headland. Try 20 fathoms. From Kianinny try 15 to 20 fathoms of White Rock and the Tathra Hotel. Locals report excellent snapper to 3kg and morwong between 15 and 20 fathoms off Long Point and White Rock as well as Lennards, North Head and Boyds Tower. Snapper and morwong respond to pilchard and squid baits as well as soft plastics and metal micro jigs. Congratulations to Les Tudberry taking some magnificient drummer from Tura Headland using cabbage. His best fish measured 46.5cm. Calamari squid remain a staple at the Merimbula Wharf. Best results using a slow sinking squid jig let down to the weed tops just at dusk.

Last Tuesday the Bega River was opened to the sea and the river is now flowing normally under tidal influence. Catch reports since the opening have varied with some losing out and others continuing to land lovely fish. Congratulations to Alan Wilkins for a 59cm catch and release dusky flathead at the launching ramp and Glen Rollason for a whiting off the flats opposite.

The estuaries are fishing well for tailor, trevally, bream and dusky flathead. Metal vibe jigs, soft plastics and bait are all effective. When using bait burley certainly helps. A sizeable jewfish was reportedly landed at the Merimbula Marina overnight.

We have the annual Tackle World Tri-Estuary Challenge which has a prize pool of some $7,000 for more than 40 prizes. This event is open to all anglers, with free entry for children.

The Challenge is catch and release only with fish length photographed on a DPI “brag mat”. The fishing areas are the Bega River, Merimbula and Merimbula Back Lakes and Pambula Lake. Entry finalized at the Briefing 9th November at the Clubhouse. All enquires regarding the Tri-Estuary Challenge should be addressed to Lindon Thompson on 0411 873 880.